Wolves pay tribute to Dean Richards

The football world paid a fitting tribute to former Wolves defender Dean Richards at Molineux.

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The football world paid a fitting tribute to former Wolves defender Dean Richards at Molineux.

Representing each of the clubs he played for - Bradford City, Wolves, Southampton and yesterday's opponents Tottenham - Don Goodman, Graham Taylor, Dave Jones and Ledley King walked to the centre circle to pay their respects before the game against Spurs yesterday - which ended in a 3-3 draw.

They were joined by Dean's widow Samantha and sons Rio and Jaden, who wore Wolves shirts.

A minute's applause was also held in honour of Richards, who died a week last Saturday at the age of 36.

Wolves legend Steve Bull, a former team-mate of Richards, said: "Deano was a top man. What a lad - and a footballer. My heart goes out to the loved ones he left behind.

"He was a top, top player who could have gone on to become one of the best English defenders of his age."

Taylor, who signed Richards for Wolves from Bradford in 1995, said: "People talk about tragedies when someone passes away in their 30s and there's no doubt Dean's passing was a tragedy.

"But for me, it's the man as a footballer who I will remember. What Dean had was pace but also an ability to intercept the ball and bring it out of defence."

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The shirts were signed by members of the current squads and will be auctioned off in aid of St Gemma's Hospice in Leeds, where he passed away.

Fans have paid their own tribute to the man they knew as 'Deano.' Supporters sang his name before and during yesterday's game.

A wreath lies outside the main entrance at Molineux, along with numerous messages of condolence, scarves and shirts.